News story: Sellafield keeps door open for small firms

The second Director’s Forum builds on the success of a previous event, which saw the launch of the new LINC platform, providing a direct route into opportunities at Sellafield.

The latest session will be held on Monday 19th March at Energus in Workington, and is now open for registration.

Emma-Jayne Gooch, Head of Supply Chain Development and Innovation said:

The last event brought the supply chain directly in contact with our project teams, and through workshops gave them an opportunity tell us how we can be a better client.

The response was overwhelming. Smaller companies can see that we are doing things differently, so there is a real appetite to build on momentum and keep the lines of communication open.

The first Directors Forum in September was attended by more than 350 people.

Following the event, B2B and React Engineering used the new LINC platform to submit a proposal for work at the site, and secured a contract within four days.

Emma-Jayne added;

The first opportunity published in the LINC scheme, and the incredible speed at which it was awarded, shows that we are really taking action to help them win work.

This second session will provide a clearer look at procurement opportunities through an improved ‘Procurements on a Page’ scheme. Our innovation team and ‘value stream’ leads will also be on hand to provide an insight to changes at Sellafield Ltd.

It promises to be a vibrant, engaging and informative event so we would encourage businesses to register.

Due to the anticipated interest we will be restricting registration to two directors from each organisation.

To register for the event go to book.

For more information on LINC with Sellafield, visit ‘How to do business with Sellafield Ltd’



Statement to Parliament: Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill

[unable to retrieve full-text content]An updated analysis of report stage government amendments for the purposes of English votes for English laws has been laid in the house.



News story: Collision at Stainforth Road level crossing

Image of Stainforth Road AHB level crossing (courtesy of the British Transport Police) taken from the direction of the motorist’s approach; the train was travelling from right to left.

At about 05:45 hrs on Thursday 11 January 2018, a car collided with a freight train which was standing on the down Skellow line with its rear wagon partially blocking Stainforth Road automatic half-barrier (AHB) level crossing. The car driver suffered minor injuries in the collision and their car was severely damaged.

Despite the presence of the train at the crossing, Stainforth Road AHB level crossing was open to road traffic when the collision occurred. This meant that its road traffic signals were not illuminated and its half-barriers were in the up position. At the time the accident occurred it was dark. The crossing is not illuminated and its rural location means that there are no ambient light sources nearby.

The design of this crossing results in the requirement for down trains to cover a distance of around 28 metres to clear the road surface after the re-opening sequence has been triggered. For trains travelling close to the maximum permitted line speed of 50 mph (80km/h), the time needed to clear the crossing is well within the approximately seven seconds required for the re-opening sequence to be completed. However, for trains travelling at very slow speeds, or where trains stop with the rear wagon close to the crossing and blocking the road, the crossing can potentially re-open to road users while such a train is still on it.

Our investigation into the accident will determine the sequence of events leading to the collision. It will also include consideration of:

  • the design of this level crossing and relevant risks associated with it
  • whether similar designs are in use at other locations
  • the actions of the railway staff involved in the operation of the train
  • any underlying management factors

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

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Press release: UK Sustainable Railway Mission in Taiwan to Share Innovative Development in Railway Sector

Led by Lord Faulkner, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Taiwan, a UK sustainable railway mission is visiting Taiwan from 29 to 30 January to promote the UK’s capability in the operation and maintenance of railway and metro networks. Made up of 19 experts representing 14 British companies as well as a UK representative from Rail Industry Association(RIA), this mission is part of the “Innovation is GREAT” campaign launched by the British Office last October to introduce innovative British technologies and services to Taiwan.

The UK railway sector is strong in providing consultancy, preventative remote monitoring systems, maintenance equipment, and railway certification such as IV&V (independent verification and validation) to Taiwan railway operators. During the two-day visit, the delegates will attend workshops with Taiwan’s mainline and metro authorities and operators to demonstrate the UK’s expertise in all aspects of the railway sector, including infrastructure design and asset management.

Lord Faulkner said: “The railways of Taiwan and the UK share many similarities in their operations and both are committed to investing in the future. This workshop offers an excellent opportunity to share the UK’s latest experience in creating sustainable railways, as well as learning about the challenges faced by Taiwan and the solutions being planned to tackle them. And I very much hope that it well lead to more business between the UK and Taiwan.”

During his visit, Lord Faulkner will meet the Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Transportation and Communications to enhance the mutual collaboration opportunities between the UK and Taiwan in railway and other sectors. He will also visit Hsinchu City to discuss co-operation opportunities related to Taiwan’s Forward-Looking Infrastructure Development Programme.

The UK’s main rail system has been developing for over 170 years and forms a dynamic national business contributing £9.3 billion a year to the UK economy. The UK’s railway industry is amongst the best in the world across all aspects of rail systems: from the planning and design of the projects, specialist equipment supply, construction, and testing and commissioning, all the way through to operations, maintenance and whole-life asset management. With faster trains in place and smart rail technology applied, there will be further opportunities related to major maintenance work for the existing railway networks between the UK and Taiwan.

More infomation

The 15 British participants are: Movement Strategies, Stanley Engineered Fastening, Siemens Rail Automation, Xrail Group, MAN Diesel & Turbo UK, Bombardier, Camlin Rail, Railway Industry Association (RIA), RS Clare, LPA Group, British Steel, Balfour Beatty Rail UK, Colas Rail Asia, BMT Asia Pacific, and Ricardo Rail Taiwan.



Press release: Fishing licence money funds Severn Rivers Trust ‘tool bank’

The Environment Agency, through its Fisheries Improvement Fund, has provided a wide selection of tools to help fishing clubs improve river habitats and access to fishing.

A wide range of hand tools including saws, hammers and spades make up a ‘tool bank’ which will be managed by the Severn Rivers Trust. Local angling clubs and volunteers can borrow the tools for small habitat projects. A number of habitat days will also run to show clubs techniques for creating natural habitat features to benefit fish.

Ieuan Davies, from the Severn Rivers Trust said:

We’re delighted to receive these tools, and we’ll be opening up a loan based system to allow angling interests in the River Severn catchment to borrow and use them for their projects.

We hope having access to these tools will allow a diverse set of improvement works to be carried out, and we will be happy to back up this resource with advice from our in house experts, as well as links to volunteer helpers where needed. We look forward to engaging with locals, volunteers and anglers on a wide range of fisheries improvement projects.

Fisheries experts from the Environment Agency and the Severn Rivers Trust work in partnership to give angling clubs and volunteers advice on how to improve habitats, but often small improvements that can really make a difference don’t go ahead because people don’t have access to tools and materials.

Ed Noyes, Fisheries Technical Officer from the Environment Agency said:

We’re pleased to be able to use Angling Improvement Fund money, which comes directly from fishing licence sales, in this way.

Access to the tool bank will help fishing clubs and volunteers carry out low cost, small improvements which across the whole Severn catchment will really enhance the environment for many species of fish.

The tools can be hired by contacting the Severn Rivers Trust.

For more information on tools or training days please contact the Severn Rivers Trust on 01886 888394 or admin@severnriverstrust.com